Got down to zero range remaining. Is there a “buffer” reserve after 0 miles of range?

[AltaTruck]

I have done this twice. I took my Guzzi in the bed of the R1T to Cadre in Cincinnati. There was an EA charger about 6mi away, but I was worried when it was at zero as I got off the interstate. I unloaded the bike and headed for the charger now about 5mi away. Within 100ft of the bike shop's driveway it gave me an alert to pull over immediately. I did, but figured there was a reserve - how much? I did get to the EA charger only to find it did not work. I backed out in a half circle to a nearby unit and it quit. Dead in the water. As luck would have it I was able to reach the cord and I got a charge. Had it been 6" further away, things would not have worked out.

The second time I helped a friend pick up a new motorcycle which was an out and back trip on the turnpike. On the way back I could tell it was going to be close, so I exited the turnpike in favor of slower back roads. We made it to the bottom of my driveway where it turned to zero. My friend asked if we were going to make it. As we slowed going up the steep, long drive, I said NO. I got to within 50' of the flat top by the house and garage and it slowed to a complete stop. I needed to get out my track loader and pull it up that final bit. Once on the flat and unhooked it had enough power so that I could get to the charger.

Range anxiety? Nah - You have to push the limits some times.

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[dementor]

Had to get towed and slow charge at a motel ( (because the fucking EA on I-15 in Scipio, UT).

Oh, I'm doing that exact drive in a few weeks. Hope the charger is fixed.

 

[corndog]

Seems the range and distance to the charger don't always seem to pan out. I once had 30 miles left and 19 miles to the RAN Charger. Seemed like 11 to spare. Pulled into the charger with 3 miles left. Red lights and reduced speed. Hmmmmmmm.
Just gotta learn your truck is most important.

 

[AbhorViolence]

I drove 160+ miles home with a fridge and a washer/dryer strapped in the back a few days ago (tailgate down). Originally it said I would have 80-90 miles left upon arrival so I wasn't worried, was driving normally. I only noticed range was dropping very fast about half way back and reduced my speed from ~75 to 65, then 60, then 55, then 48. It still didn't look like I was going to make it because of a significant headwind.

I finally slowed to 40 and put hazard lights on, with about 25 miles to go. Got a warning with about 15 miles to go and the battery at 2%. I was making it about 2.4 miles per 1% battery drop at this point.

I got to the top of the last hill when it hit "0 mi, 0%", with a little bit of down hill then flat and about 7 miles yet to go. Got another warning, something like "performance may be affected, drive cautiously" a half mile before my exit.

Make it to the exit and over the freeway and to the RAN charger.

I believe I went at least 7.5 miles after 0/0.

I had passed up a level 2 charger stop 30 miles back, afraid it may be out of order and thought I would probably just make it. Yeah I like taking risks some times. ?

I wouldn't want to do this again. But I know my truck more now.

 

[SSteveEV]

Seems the range and distance to the charger don't always seem to pan out. I once had 30 miles left and 19 miles to the RAN Charger. Seemed like 11 to spare. Pulled into the charger with 3 miles left. Red lights and reduced speed. Hmmmmmmm.
Just gotta learn your truck is most important.

Late reply but, this was likely because you had the charger in as a destination and it was preconditioning the battery. If I'm really low and not in a hurry I'll pick a nav destination that's right next to the charger so it doesn't suck up my juice before I arrive.

 

[evhelphub]

You're knowingly getting that close to zero (yes, 10 is close to zero) and you're keeping your speed that high?

It's all about air resistance, y'all. I went 70 in a 70 for most of my trip today, through a mountain pass, and gained 3 miles from the original estimate.

SPEEDING KILLS (your efficiency)

Great tip. Always slow down to 60-65mph and try to get behind a semi to help conserve energy until you feel more confident about making it otherwise. Please don't completely tailgate the semi though.

I drove 160+ miles home with a fridge and a washer/dryer strapped in the back a few days ago (tailgate down). Originally it said I would have 80-90 miles left upon arrival so I wasn't worried, was driving normally. I only noticed range was dropping very fast about half way back and reduced my speed from ~75 to 65, then 60, then 55, then 48. It still didn't look like I was going to make it because of a significant headwind.

I finally slowed to 40 and put hazard lights on, with about 25 miles to go. Got a warning with about 15 miles to go and the battery at 2%. I was making it about 2.4 miles per 1% battery drop at this point.

I got to the top of the last hill when it hit "0 mi, 0%", with a little bit of down hill then flat and about 7 miles yet to go. Got another warning, something like "performance may be affected, drive cautiously" a half mile before my exit.

Make it to the exit and over the freeway and to the RAN charger.

I believe I went at least 7.5 miles after 0/0.

I had passed up a level 2 charger stop 30 miles back, afraid it may be out of order and thought I would probably just make it. Yeah I like taking risks some times. ?

I wouldn't want to do this again. But I know my truck more now.

I wonder with Rivian's acquisition of ABRP if they will be able to use the real-time weather data to display warnings for headwinds or other significant weather factors which can both alert the driver and better calculate the expected range.

I know it isn't perfect and that there are varying opinions on here, but I have found the app quite useful over the years. Better than not knowing you are driving into a 15mph headwind and your range is going to be reduced 10%.

 

[Riviot]

I wonder with Rivian's acquisition of ABRP if they will be able to use the real-time weather data to display warnings for headwinds or other significant weather factors which can both alert the driver and better calculate the expected range.

I know it isn't perfect and that there are varying opinions on here, but I have found the app quite useful over the years. Better than not knowing you are driving into a 15mph headwind and your range is going to be reduced 10%.

 

[Count Orlok]

 

[iansriv]

Lots of interesting stories! I'm new to EV. Do you take into account non-working charing stations when planning a trip? Do you plan back up locations?

 

[Donald Stanfield]

It's a limit, not a mandate. Stay to the right and ignore the peer pressure, you'll be just fine ?

Its not about peer pressure it's about being a hazard to everyone else on the road. Not keeping up with the flow of traffic by 20mph or more is asking for an accident. Sure in a perfect world your advice would work but people don't pay attention while driving.

Just this week I've had 3 different people try to side swipe me by merging into my lane without looking. If people are missing an orange electric pickup when merging its not a stretch to assume they will also miss it when coming upon it at a 20mph speed difference.

In fact its much less dangerous to be going 20mph FASTER than traffic than being 20mph slower on the freeway. If you're going faster, and can drive defensively, you're watching for lane changers and morons but going slower is asking these people to watch for you. There are far too many incapable drivers on US Roads for that IMO.

 

[Riviot]

Its not about peer pressure it's about being a hazard to everyone else on the road. Not keeping up with the flow of traffic by 20mph or more is asking for an accident. Sure in a perfect world your advice would work but people don't pay attention while driving.

Just this week I've had 3 different people try to side swipe me by merging into my lane without looking. If people are missing an orange electric pickup when merging its not a stretch to assume they will also miss it when coming upon it at a 20mph speed difference.

In fact its much less dangerous to be going 20mph FASTER than traffic than being 20mph slower on the freeway. If you're going faster, and can drive defensively, you're watching for lane changers and morons but going slower is asking these people to watch for you. There are far too many incapable drivers on US Roads for that IMO.

I think it's gotten lost in all the sidebars, but the topic is running out of juice. Obviously going slow as molasses is not safe or preferred, but if your options are slow down or end up on the side of the road with a dead battery...

Note to self: stay away from red R1Ts in Pennsylvania.

 

[Trandall]

Lots of interesting stories! I'm new to EV. Do you take into account non-working charing stations when planning a trip? Do you plan back up locations?

Good Question. I use plugshare to see the latest reviews to gauge the trustworthiness of a charger to be working. If it's a charging desert without at least nearby L2 plan "B" options and I don't have high confidence in plan "A" then yes I plan to reserve enough range so as to not be stranded.

It sounds harder than it is. For all my trips (requiring DC charging) this takes 3-5 minutes before setting out and no additional stops or extended charging times but it's possible that you could rn into a situation where an early stop at between 30-50% soc or an extended charge deep into the pack or an hour(s) stop at a L2 (worst case) is necessary.

 

[Trandall]

Its not about peer pressure it's about being a hazard to everyone else on the road. Not keeping up with the flow of traffic by 20mph or more is asking for an accident. Sure in a perfect world your advice would work but people don't pay attention while driving.

Just this week I've had 3 different people try to side swipe me by merging into my lane without looking. If people are missing an orange electric pickup when merging its not a stretch to assume they will also miss it when coming upon it at a 20mph speed difference.

In fact its much less dangerous to be going 20mph FASTER than traffic than being 20mph slower on the freeway. If you're going faster, and can drive defensively, you're watching for lane changers and morons but going slower is asking these people to watch for you. There are far too many incapable drivers on US Roads for that IMO.

Me to Traffic Officer; "I read online it's much safer to travel defensively 20MPH over the speed limit than below the speed limit" .

Thanks for the tip I'll let you know how it goes next time I'm pulled over.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Me to Traffic Officer; "I read online it's much safer to travel defensively 20MPH over the speed limit than below the speed limit" .

Thanks for the tip I'll let you know how it goes next time I'm pulled over.

There's actually a lot of scientific evidence supporting it and supporting the fact that many speed limits are set artificially lower for revenue generation under the guise of safety when its actually less safe.

Obviously this isn't going to apply to an officer because of the aforementioned revenue generation incentive to enforce speed limits.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I think it's gotten lost in all the sidebars, but the topic is running out of juice. Obviously going slow as molasses is not safe or preferred, but if your options are slow down or end up on the side of the road with a dead battery...

Note to self: stay away from red R1Ts in Pennsylvania.

IDK what good that's going to do you as my r1 has never been to PA. Regardless its been over 20 years since I've been in a car accident despite being surrounded by inattentive drivers and a high number of tourists who are extremely erratic drivers. So I think I'm doing okay.

Clearly some people drive better than others.

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